Available courses

How to View Students Through a Trauma-Informed Lens

In today's diverse and complex educational landscape, understanding the impact of trauma on students' learning experiences is crucial for K-12 teachers. The online professional development course, "How to View Students Through a Trauma-Informed Lens," is designed to equip educators with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to recognize, address, and support students who have experienced trauma. By adopting a trauma-informed lens, teachers can create a safe and supportive environment that promotes students' emotional well-being, academic success, and overall development.  This comprehensive course delves into the foundational principles of trauma-informed teaching, guiding educators through the process of recognizing the signs of trauma, understanding its effects on students' behaviors and learning, and implementing appropriate strategies to foster a trauma-sensitive classroom.

Digital Literacy

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, integrating technology has become imperative for effective teaching and learning. This course is designed to equip K-12 teachers with the skills and knowledge to navigate the digital realm confidently and harness its potential to enhance educational outcomes. Throughout the course, educators will explore digital literacy comprehensively, delving into key concepts, tools, and best practices tailored to the K-12 environment. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of digital citizenship, information literacy, media literacy, and critical thinking in the digital age. The course will commence with an overview of foundational digital literacy skills. By the conclusion of the course, educators will emerge with a robust toolkit of digital literacy skills, empowering them to leverage technology as a powerful educational tool in K-12 classrooms. Participants will be prepared to navigate the digital landscape confidently, equipping students with the essential skills for success in the digital age.

Innovative Teaching with AI: Transforming Education for the 21st Century

Social Emotional Learning

Classroom Leadership: Finding the best leadership style for your classroom instruction

The goal of this course is to positively impact student learning through personal teacher development. This personal teacher development looks to enhance overall teacher awareness of their own personal leadership and leadership styles, thus creating not only teacher leaders but student leaders with better leadership identity at an earlier age. The impact of this course will be measured through weekly assignments, creation of own personal code of leadership, and development of two sample lessons that incorporate leadership into the lessons. Participants in this course will use the knowledge gained to positively affect their own student achievement.

Foundations of Instructional Coaching

This course is designed to provide instructional coaches and aspiring instructional coaches with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to develop a meaningful coaching practice. This course introduces coaches to coaching cycles and adult learning theories as well as how coaching works within a school and through various coaching practices. The course culminates in the development of a coaching philosophy, which may be updated as participants continue through the program.

The Schuylkill Literacy Volunteer League

The Schuylkill Literacy Volunteer League is a training community for parents who wish to make an impact on literacy instruction in their children’s schools. Participants will learn about the basics of reading instruction in order to make their volunteer time more focused and meaningful

ESL Practicum II

ESL 5 - Education and Philosophy and Advocacy

The goal of this course is to improve student learning by creating opportunities for teachers to interact and engage with ELs and their broader community. It provides them opportunities to advocate within and beyond their school community to improve learning for ELs and their families.

ESL 4 -Planning and Managing Instruction - Strategies for the Communicative Classroom

The course content will focus on ways that teachers can improve learning for ELs by exploring ways to meet the needs of EL through engagement with the Pennsylvania English Language Proficiency Standards. Teachers will engage with topics that enable them to design and implement culturally, linguistic, socially, and instructionally relevant lessons by understanding valid and reliable ways to assess ELs.

The goal of this course is to impact student learning by engaging teachers in meaningful language and cultural topics and activities that enable them to improve lesson design.

ESL 3 - Assessment of English Learners

The goal of this course is to improve student learning by providing efficient and effective ways of assessing ELs. It prepares teachers to use various types of classroom assessments by the appropriate use of testing practices for English language learners including:

1.  Knowledge and application of alternate and multiple assessment measures to ascertain what ELs know and can do

2.   Appropriate interpretation and use of data to support ELs

3.   Assessment of ELs’ test-taking challenges and creation of strategies and scaffolding techniques to address these challenges.

ESL 2 - Theory and Practice in Language Development

The course content will focus on ways that teachers can improve learning for ELs by exploring ways to meet the needs of EL through engagement with the Pennsylvania English Language Proficiency Standards. Teachers will engage with topics that enable them to design and implement culturally, linguistic, socially, and instructionally relevant lessons. Teaching models and EL instruction are the focuses of this course.

ESL Practicum I


The goal of this course is to improve student learning by creating opportunities for teachers to interact and engage with ELs and their broader community. The experience and knowledge from these tasks will enable teachers to understand how ELs experience school and will, therefore, be able to provide better instruction and support.

ESL 1—Language, Culture, and Responsive Instruction

The Program content will focus on ways that teachers can improve learning for ELs by exploring ways to meet the needs of EL through engagement with the Pennsylvania English Language Proficiency Standards.   First, we need to understand culture and language.  Teachers will engage with topics that enable them to design and implement culturally, linguistic, socially, and instructionally relevant lessons. This course may be used as the first course in a series toward ESL certification.

A+ Ideas for Every Student's Success (On-Line)

This 3 credit online course is designed to improve academic performance, increase productivity, and encourage self-esteem in students through appropriate use of classroom management techniques and motivational strategies in the class.  The participant will become acquainted with the various personality profiles, including their own, and strategies to encourage an atmosphere conducive to the students’ ultimate learning ability.  Participants will develop an awareness of how their profile interacts with student profiles and with this knowledge adapt lessons accordingly.  The strategies will be presented to promote positive teacher/student interaction, gain insight on predicting a students’ behavior, and knowing how to uniquely respond to the students differentiated styles. A book is required.  "A+ Ideas for Every Student's Success" by Robert Rohm.  IMPORTANT:  If there is a book listed for this course, participants are responsible for purchase. The Course Instructor will contact you via email with instructions on how to log-in to the course prior to OR on the start date.  REMEMBER TO CHECK THE WEBSITE PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THE COURSE FOR CHANGES/UPDATES.

ABC's on Teaching Strategies for Pre K-3

This 3 credit online course is designed to focus on successful teaching instruction and strategies for preschool to grade 3. Subject areas include the strategies for promoting a comfortable learning environment, positive reinforcement, icebreakers, learning and literacy centers, organization skills for teacher and student, bulletin boards, successful subject area lessons (math, language arts, social studies, science, art, music, physical education), and overall meaningful teaching and learning strategies. This course contains hundreds of activities and lessons that all teachers can access; and illustrates ways all students can participate in them.

Achieving Excellence-14/17 Things That Matter Most/2025

This 3 credit online course is designed to describe the beliefs, attitudes, and interactions that form an atmosphere conducive to learning in our best classrooms and schools. It focuses primarily on "specific things that great teachers, legendary teachers” do. The book "What Great Teachers Do Differently” is filled with strategies and ideas to motivate students. There are many meaningful websites to stimulate your students and simple suggestions that you can integrate into your current routine.

Bright Solutions for Dyslexia

This 3 credit course is designed to provide educators with an overview of the dyslexic child and characteristics that can accompany dyslexia including behavioral and social skills, and self esteem. The participant will explore successful strategies and instruction used in the daily classroom to accommodate the student. The strategies are based on the teachings of Thomas G. West- description of Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, Charles Darwin, Galileo and Leonardo DaVinci. Famous people with dyslexia. Cynthia Conway Waring- Developing Independent Readers; Strategy-Oriented Reading Activities for Learners with Special Needs. Participants will be acquainted with the symptoms of a dyslexic, familiar with success stories from people who have overcome obstacles from being dyslexics and apply practical strategies and accommodations in the classroom. Throughout the course participants will analyze their own beliefs and create plans based on research based readings and activities. This will include examining the important facets of being a quality classroom teacher and understanding the challenges and accomplishments of the non-reader. Dyslexia can be anywhere from mild to severe, therefore, the strategies that are presented consist of a multitude of ideas—throughout this course the educator is given information for early detection of dyslexia, referrals, successful strategies and inclusive practices suitable for learners of dyslexia. IMPORTANT: If there is a book listed for this course, participants are responsible for purchase. The Course Instructor will contact you via email with instructions on how to log-in to the course prior to OR on the start date. REMEMBER TO CHECK THE WEBSITE PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THE COURSE FOR CHANGES/UPDATES.

Cultural Diversity Awareness in the Classroom

What is your awareness of the diversity you encounter daily? This 3 credit online course is designed to help k-12 educators gain a greater awareness of the many facets of diversity within their classroom and school community. This course will help teachers create and maintain school settings that celebrate diversity and inclusion; thereby, creating a positive learning environment where students feel safe. Developing a positive learning environment and positive relationships impacts all students by setting a strong foundation for success. By reaching out to students in ways that are culturally and linguistically responsive and appropriate, students will be engaged.

Differentiated and Small Group Strategies

Are you interested in adding meaningful strategies to your teaching “toolbox?” Or, are you struggling with how to meet the needs of the varied ability levels of your students? This online course will assist teachers in analyzing learning styles of students and in turn differentiate instruction to meet their individual needs. Using the book; Differentiated Instructional Strategies: One Size Doesn′t Fit All - Nov 1, 2001 by Gayle H. Gregory and Carolyn M. Chapman, this class will give participants the opportunity to investigate the impact of researched based strategies and will explore best practices while creating useable, “make and take” ideas to help teachers make confident decisions about instruction on an individual basis that leads to positive outcomes. Whether you are a novice or veteran teacher, this course will give everyone the opportunity to structure and organize their classroom so that successful implementation of differentiated and small group instructional strategies is possible. A research based approach, followed by reflections, will be used by studying selections of text, videos, and websites dealing with this topic. IMPORTANT: If there is a book listed for this course, participants are responsible for purchase. The Course Instructor will contact you via email with instructions on how to log-in to the course prior to OR on the start date. REMEMBER TO CHECK THE WEBSITE PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THE COURSE FOR CHANGES/UPDATES.

Effective Teaching Strategies

This online course will assist teachers in understanding effective teaching strategies while providing an opportunity to examine a variety of articles, resources, handouts, and video clips to experience different types of strategies in becoming an effective teacher.  Participants will have a solid understanding of what is needed to be an effective teacher with, positive expectations, classroom management, effective and enhancing lessons, and a future understanding of continuing to be an effective teacher.  Participants will take back knowledge and apply it to their own situation.  This class will give participants the opportunity to investigate the impact of researched-based strategies and will explore best practices while creating useable, "make and take” ideas to help teachers make confident decisions about effective teaching on an individual basis that leads to positive outcomes.  Whether you are a novice or veteran teacher, this course will give everyone the opportunity to structure and organize their classroom so that successful implementation of effective teaching strategies is possible.Using the book; The First Days of School: How to be an Effective Teacher 5th Edition - 2018 by Harry K. Wong, and Rosemary T. Wong.  A research-based approach, followed by reflections, will be used by studying selections of text, videos, and websites and this book dealing with this topic.

Digital Citizenship

Integrating Media Literacy into the Classroom

Students are exposed to a variety of media throughout the day. Media is an influential force in the lives of students. Television, radio, computers, internet, social media, streaming, video games and smartphones are just a few examples of the media that students interact with daily. However, when it comes to being able to recognize real news versus a fake news article that might appear on their feed, the majority of students cannot tell the difference. Educators have a responsibility to teach students how to critically engage with mass media. In order to be an informed citizen, students must know how to access, analyze, evaluate, create and act using all forms of media. It is imperative that students possess these skills so that they can make informed decisions as adults. During this three-credit online course, participants will come to understand what media literacy skills are, their importance in the classroom, how to integrate media literacy skills and design lessons and activities that will help students to become media literate.

Live, Laugh and Learn through Educational Games

This 2 credit online course is designed to provide educators with an overview of   benefits in using games as a source of reinforcement in the classroom.  The participant will explore successful strategies and instruction used in the daily classroom to accommodate each student.  Participants will be acquainted with the purpose of games, developing, adapting and implementing the appropriate game to fit their curriculum.  They will become acquainted with the different types of games including, memory, physical and board games.  Throughout the course participants will analyze, adapt, create and demonstrate the use of appropriate and effective learning tools based on readings, activities and group discussions. They will learn techniques used to improve motivation and learning through classroom experiments and games.               IMPORTANT:  If there is a book listed for this course, participants are responsible for purchase. The Course Instructor will contact you via email with instructions on how to log-in to the course prior to OR on the start date.  REMEMBER TO CHECK THE WEBSITE PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THE COURSE FOR CHANGES/UPDATES.

Project-Based & Challenge-Based Learning

In this three credit on-line course, through a series of lessons, videos and various other activities, participants will learn the basic pedagogy, benefits and framework of Project-Based Learning and Challenged-Based Learning. As we move towards a global society, it is critical that our students can communicate effectively outside the four walls of a traditional classroom.  Using project-based learning will provide students with the necessary skills to read, write and think critically, create, communicate and collaborate while also embracing relevance and rigor. With this in mind, it is imperative that teachers know how to design and implement project-based/challenge-based learning. Because project-based/challenge-based learning is filled with active and engaging learning, it inspires students to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they’re studying.

Stem Lesson Essentials

This online course will assist teachers (K-12) in implementing authentic STEM teaching and learning into the classroom for lessons and units that are relevant and exciting for their students. This class will give participants the opportunity to make connections with 21st century skills and engaging lessons. With ideas that are practical and achievable, this course will give teachers the confidence and time to "make and take" resources that build on what teachers may already use or to provide just what you need to get started. Whether you are a novice or veteran teacher, this course will give everyone the opportunity to create lessons that engage students in the participant’s classrooms with meeting multiple standards at the same time. A research based approach, followed by reflections, will be used by studying selections of text, videos, and websites dealing with this topic. Teachers that may be struggling with how to integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math into everyday lessons, will be much more confident doing so at the completion of this course. Using the book; STEM Lesson Essentials by; Jo Anne Vasquez, Cary Sneider, and Michael Comer, participants will add meaningful STEM strategies to their teaching "toolbox." IMPORTANT: If there is a book listed for this course, participants are responsible for purchase. The Course Instructor will contact you via email with instructions on how to log-in to the course prior to OR on the start date. REMEMBER TO CHECK THE WEBSITE PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THE COURSE FOR CHANGES/UPDATES.

Tech Tools For the 21st Century Classroom

Test Making Tips Using DOK (Depth of Knowledge) Levels (On-Line)

This online course will assist teachers in analyzing DOK (Depth of Knowledge) levels while providing an opportunity to examine a variety of articles, resources, handouts, and video clips to experience different types of questions and assessments of each level. Participants will have a solid understanding of what each level consists of and examples for each. Participants will take back knowledge and apply it to their own situation. This class will give participants the opportunity to investigate the impact of researched based strategies and will explore best practices while creating useable, “make and take” ideas to help teachers make confident decisions about instruction and assessment on an individual basis that leads to positive outcomes. Whether you are a novice or veteran teacher, this course will give everyone the opportunity to structure and organize their classroom so that successful implementation of the DOK model is possible. A research based approach, followed by reflections, will be used by studying selections of text, videos, and websites dealing with this topic.  NOTES: The Course Instructor will contact you via email with instructions on how to log-in to the course prior to OR on the start date. REMEMBER TO CHECK THE WEBSITE PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THE COURSE FOR CHANGES/UPDATES.

There's an App for That...Integrating the iPad into the Classroom

2012 marked the start of the iPad invasion into the classroom.  The use of this device has the power to revolutionize the way students learn.  These 21st Century learners need to be creative, think critically, collaborate and communicate in order to be successful.  Using the iPad as part of instruction can help to achieve this goal.  In this three credit online course, participants will identify the unique needs that the 21st century student brings to the classroom, explore apps that align with Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy, learn how to effectively integrate the use of iPads into the classroom according to best practices and discover a plethora of apps that are available.  By the conclusion of the course, participants will have not only a collection of apps and lessons that they created for their classroom, but also the confidence to use the iPad effectively.